Lizzie Schulte Corneilson and the ladies of her church

(click to enlarge)

This group photograph was taken on the steps of a Catholic church in Detroit, Michigan. The photographer was A. Rentschler of 101 Gratiot Avenue. I estimate the date was about 1920.

My grandmother Evelyn identified three women. "Mama" (back row, third from left) was her mother, Elizabeth Schulte Corneilson. The notation on the left says "Mrs. Auer" and the one at the lower right says "Mrs. Fessler." I don't recognize these two names, and I don't think they are relatives, just friends known to Evelyn.

The church is not identified. Lizzie was baptized in the Lutheran church, but converted to Catholicism when she married Felix Hauer. I looked to my notes on Felix in an effort to find out what church this might be.

Felix Hauer's First Communion
(click to enlarge)

According to this certificate, Felix celebrated his first communion at St. Joseph's Church in Detroit on July 6, 1879. I believe this refers to the Catholic church at 1828 Jay Street. I found a photo of this St. Joseph's online, and it doesn't resemble the church in the photo above.

Google, however, turned up another result in the search for St. Joseph's: Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church which, prior to 1907, was St. Joseph's Episcopal Church. Oddly, this church greatly resembles the church in the photo above, except for the brickwork (which may have been given a facelift at some point). Holy Rosary, at 5930 Woodward Avenue, was further from Lizzie's home on Townsend Avenue than St. Joseph's Catholic, but I suppose not so far as to preclude her attendance there. Research in the records of both churches might prove interesting.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share this photo because others with Detroit roots may recognize this church, or perhaps may even recognize an ancestor of their own. If you're able to positively identify the church, or if your ancestor is in the photo, please contact me via the Comments section. Upon request, I'd be happy to share a high-resolution copy of the photo, so please include your email address in the comment. All comments must be approved by me before being published, and those which include an email address or other way for me to contact you will remain private. Your personal contact information will not be published to this blog.

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Information on this photo has been updated. Click here for additional identifications.